Chapter 262

261. 261
Miriam and Teresa were inseparable best friends , and they had matching ringtones . It was an unknown number . She rarely answered calls from unknown numbers , but after the argument with Jennifer , she took the call .
Teresa’s sound sent a shockwave through Miriam . She froze for a moment , her mind . struggling to catch up . Then , unable to hold back , she let out a piercing scream . Teresa ? ”
Jonathan , who had been about to step out and shut the door behind him , stopped dead in his tracks at the mention of Teresa’s name . His expression hardened instantly , and he turned back , his sharp gaze locking onto Miriam like a hawk .
“ Teresa ! Finally ! Do you know how worried I’ve been ? Where have you been all this time ? Why didn’t you tell me anything ? ”
“ Sorry , Miriam . I changed my number in a fit of anger . But I’m doing fine now , really . ”
“ Really ? ” Miriam pressed , her voice full of concern . “ Are you sure you’re doing okay ? You left Fernlandia , didn’t you ? You’re not in Nareigh , and you’re not in Lonisburg either . So where are you ?
“ Jonathan went to Lonisburg to look for you , but he said you weren’t- ” Miriam froze , her hand flying to her mouth . Seeing Teresa fall silent , she panicked , thinking she might have upset her .
Miriam quickly added , “ I didn’t tell Jonathan about your place in Lonisburg . It was Jennifer who mentioned it . She knows you have a house there too . ”
Jonathan shot Miriam a meaningful glance , nodding slightly toward the phone , clearly signaling he wanted to speak to Teresa .
But the moment Jennifer came to mind , Miriam’s face darkened , her frustration bubbling to the surface again . She turned her head away , dodging Jonathan’s hand , and clutched her phone tightly .
“ Teresa , be honest with me . Is Jennifer giving you a hard time ? Tell me , okay ? Don’t keep it to yourself . If she’s bothering you , I’ll give her a piece of my mind . ”
“ No , there’s nothing going on between her and me . ”
“ But she-
Miriam hadn’t even finished speaking when Jennifer , unable to hold back any longer , snatched the phone from her and rushed into the bathroom , shutting the door behind her . “ Teresa , it’s me . ”
Teresa remained silent .
Successfully unlocked !
Jennifer locked the door and moved to the window , her voice calm yet filled with concern . “ Don’t worry , I haven’t told anyone about your pregnancy . You know I care
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about you , Teresa . Please , come back .
“ I know I made mistakes before . I forced you to have an abortion and used it to threaten you into coming back . Did I scare you ?
“ If you really want to come back , I can make it work . I’ll help you keep the kids a secret . Once you’ve safely delivered the second baby , we can be- ”
“ That’s not necessary , Teresa interrupted , her tone indifferent .
“ Jennifer , I hope you can let go of the pain and resentment . I truly wish you and Donald happiness . I mean it . I’m happy now , really . Mike and I are doing great , and the baby is healthy too . You don’t need to worry about us . ”
Jennifer stayed silent , her gaze tinged with bitterness . “ Teresa , I hate that things have come to this between us . We’re family , yet you won’t even tell me where you- ”
A sudden knock on the door startled her . Jennifer composed herself and said , “ Miriam and I are at Jonathan’s company right now . We came to see if he’d heard from you . That’s why we’re here . ”
Teresa didn’t respond to that .
A soft breeze stirred the wind chimes hanging outside a small shop in the distance . Teresa , wearing a black baseball cap , had her thick hair loose over her shoulders . Her gaze carried a mix of emotions as she lowered her head , gripping the phone tightly .
“ Jennifer , give the phone to Jonathan . I need to talk to him , ” she said firmly .
Jennifer turned and walked out , handing the phone to Jonathan , who had been waiting anxiously .
Jonathan took the phone and strode out of the office . He paused to steady himself before speaking into the receiver , his deep , magnetic voice carrying through , “ Hello . ”
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